The Australian
Local Wine discounting `targets' Aborigines
Paul Toohey
289 words
1 April 2009
The Australian
1 - All-round Country
8
English
Copyright 2009 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved
WOOLWORTHS liquor outlets in Darwin are selling cleanskin wine at $3.97 a bottle in a move the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation claims is targeted at Aboriginal drinkers.
The new chairman of the AERF, Scott Wilson, says heavy discounting by Woolworths is doing nothing to curtail Aboriginal binge-drinking.
``You'd think in the Northern Territory they'd definitely be targeting Aboriginal people, and people from a low socio-economic background,'' said Mr Wilson. ``It's almost as cheap as a big bottle of Coke.''
The $3.97 cleanskins had until last week also been available in Alice Springs and Katherine -- two towns affected by cheap wine and violence.
John Boffa, of Alice Springs' People's Alcohol Action coalition, complained to the Northern Territory's Licensing Division about the cleanskins. When it investigated, it found they were back at $5.97.
The group believes that price is still too low. They have succeeded in advocating that certain cheap liquor, including cask wine, should not be available in Alice Springs until after 6pm. But the cleanskins had escaped their notice.
``This cleanskin thing is new to us,'' Dr Boffa said. ``The industry is always one step ahead of everyone else.''
Woolworths media relations manager Benedict Brook said there had been a recent nationwide promotion on cleanskins.
``This was to enable our customers in the NT, the vast majority of whom drink responsibly, to access the good prices available elsewhere in the country,'' Mr Brook said.
``However, we have worked extremely closely with the NT Liquor Commission and other bodies to remove certain lines from our stores in the Territory, including many of our cask wines and flagons.''
AUS-20090401-1-008-819847
Document AUSTLN0020090331e54100034